Fuuuuuuu……dge

I wondered when this day would come. The day that I seriously have to consider replacing the Toronado. The damage to the front axle is more extensive that I thought, and it’s not a part that is readily available. I don’t know if it can be fixed, and we can’t sit around with just one vehicle while I wait for the part to materialize.

I’m really kinda torn. I’ve been driving this car for 5 1/2 years now and I still like it actually. I’m familiar with it, and I’m comfortable with it. But sometimes I think, it’d be nice to have something different. Not necessarily “newer” or “older” or “cooler”, just nicer. By that I just mean comfortable and reliable. I don’t need anything fancy or cool.

Andrea and I differ a bit in that. She needs the cool factor. And the cool factor drives up the price. One note of observation: “grandpa cars” are usually cheaper. And they’re usually pretty well taken care of. There seems to be a lot of them, an nobody wants one. By contrast cool cars are wanted by everybody, so you get a lot less car for your money. Besides, old people really have it figured out. Big roomy cars you can stretch out in. Comfy seats. And why do you need lots of power? It’s not like you’re going to pass anybody with the cruise control set at 55mph.

So I think for now… unless someone on my Oldsmobile forums posts up the part I need, I’m going to buy a super cheap car to get us by for a few months. I don’t want to run out buy something that we settle for just because we’re desperate. So I’m on the lookout for a super cheap car for now AND the Toro parts I need. And maybe long term something in real nice shape that I can drive for another 5+ years.

It feels like a really sad day.

Well…. This isn’t good. It looks like the axle failed BECAUSE another part failed. The support that holds the axle in place, basically.

The part that is broken is listed in the picture below as “SUPPORT BRACKET AND BEARING”.

The problem is… you can’t just run down to AutoZone and get a new one. The only place I can get one is from another Toronado.